Improvement in machines for cleaning and polishing boots and shoes



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. P. HILLE.

Patented Nov. 11, |879.

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llll/ NV PETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAFHEH. WASMINGTDN. D CA l u Ww ||L Machines for Cleaning and Polishing Boots nd Shoes.

2,-Sheets--Sheet 2.

i P. HILLE. Machines for Cleaning-and Polishing Bootsand Shoes. s No. 221,557. Patented Nov. 12,1?79 3 N.PETERS, PKtJTaLITHDGnPHER. WASMINGTPR. o c,

ments UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIGE.

PAUL HILLE, OF UNION, NEV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND LOUIS O. HAUENSTEIN, OF SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR CLEANING AND POLISHlNG BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 221,557, dated November 11, 1879; application filed May 16, 1879.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL HILLE, of town of Union, in the county of Hudson and State of New J ersey, have in vented a new and useful .Machine for Cleaning and Polishing Boots and Shoes; and I do" hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exactdescription thereof.

My invention relates to a means for cleaning, blacking, and polishing boots and shoes by machinery while on the feet of the wearer.

The invention consists in a novel construction, arrangement, and combination of devices, whereby an apparatusis produced by means ofwhich" the boot or shoe of the wearer is cleansed from dirt, blackin g is applied thereto, and the same is polished all at one and the saine operation of the apparatus; and whereby, also, provision is made for preventing the escape of dust from the apparatus into the room in which it is used and whereby, further, the apparatus may be utilized as an article of furniture, and several other advantages are obtained, all as hereinafter particularly set forth.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a mode of carrying out my invention.

Figure l is a perspective view, partly in section, of an apparatusembodying my improve- Fig. 2 is a top view of the same. Fig. 3 is a. longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the exterior of theapparatus. Fig. 5 is a front end view of the working parts. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the rear end. Fig. 7 is a rear view of one of the brushes. Fig. 8 is a top view of a device for holding the boot or shoe while being cleaned and polished. Fig.9 is a detail sectional view of the blacking-reservoir. Figs. 10,11`,12,13, 14, 15, 16 are detail views hereinafter particularly referred to.

The working parts of the machine are attached to and carried by a base-board or bedplate, A, provided with a front pedestal, B, and a rear pedestal, B2, which two pedestals support said working parts, and the whole is covered by a box or cover, A2, which serves as a'dust-arrester, and prevents the escape of dust from the apparatus, but at the same time is adapted to be readily removed in order to afford access to the parts, when desired, for cleaning, repairing, or inspecting them. Said box or cover is provided with hooks and eyes or other suitable fastenings for securing it to the bed-plate when in place. In the top of the box or cover is an opening, a2, of suitable shape and size to allow the foot to be passed through it in order to clean and polish the boot or shoe, as hereinafter described. There are also openings a3 a4 in the top of said box, for the purpose hereinafter described.

The box or covermaybe made as handsome and ornamental as desired, and is preferably provided with a lid, A3, which may be hinged thereto, so as to be readily removed when desired, as shown in Fig. 1, or be raised up, as shown in Fig. 4. This lid A3 may also be eushioned and upholstered, as shown, so that when the apparatus is not in use for cleaning and polishing purposes the casing may be used as an article of furniture, (as a seat or footstool, for example,) and, if desired, it may be provided with casters. In some cases it may be arranged as a drawer in a desk, bureau, or other article of furniture, and in such cases the-cushioned lid may be dispensed with.

At the upper end of the rear pedestal, B2, is an arm or cross-piece, b, running transversely of the bed-plate and carrying at its ends two pulleys, O O. (See Fig. 6.) The front pedestal, B, is provided at the top and bottom with two projections or lugs, in which is journaled a vertical shaft, d, carrying at its upper end a drum, D, to which the ends of a band, E, are attached. (See Figs. 3 and 5.)

The band B passes around the pullyes O C at t-he rear of the machine, and carries the brushes f f, one on each side, so that when the drum-shaft is rotated back and forth thc brushes will be made to reciprocate in opposite directions. (See Fig. l.)

The drinn-shaft may be rotated by means of mechanism of any suitable description. As here represented, the shaft d carries a pinion, cl2, which meshes into a rack, j, at the lower end of a lever, J, having its fulcrum on a pin or stud projecting from the front pedestal, B, and its upper end near the -opening cv* in the box or cover A2. By oscillating the lever J a reciprocating rotary motion is imparted by the rack j and pinion l2 to the drum shaft 1. The motion of the lever J is limited by means of stops j, one at each end of the rack j, which strike an abutment,j*, projecting from the bed A, and thus prevent the rack t'rom traveling too far in either direction. Thelong arm of the lever J consists of a removable handle, J2, fitting iu a socket at the upper end of the lever. This handle is here shown as made in a single piece, and when not in use it is held in place ou the outside of the box or cover by means of a ring or eye, j', and a spring-clamp,j'", as shown in Fig. 4. It' desired, however, the handle may be made telescopic, as shown in Fig. lti, or may be jointed in any suitable manner, so as to occupy but little space when not in use.

The brushes ff are attached to the band E by means ot'cariiages constructed as follows: Each carriage consists ot' a plate, (l, having at one edge a ilange, y, carrying a grooved guide, g2, and at the opposite edge two pulleys, g3, which are attached to and held in place ou said plate by means of screws, bolts, or rivets, passing through them to t'orm bearings for them, and through the plate and an angleplate, G2, to which the brushes f are attached.

The guides q2 and pulleys y ride on guide- Ways Il, one on each side. constructed as follows: Each guideway consists of a strip of metal, H, (see Fig. 11,) curved to confornl to the general outline ofthe boot or shoe, and to allow the brushes to follow the general t'orui thereof. The rear end of each guideway is Slotted for the reception of a pin or stud, b2, projecting from the arm or cross-piece b, which pin or stud may form the bearing for the pulley C, as shown in Fig. 6. The rear ends of the two guideways are connected by a spring, b, havinga tendency to pull them toward each other.

The front end of each guidcway is perforated, and through the pertoration passes a rod, b4, which extends laterally from the front pedestal, l. The front ends ot the two guide- Ways are connected b v a spring, Ir", having a tendency to pull them toward each other. By this means the guideways are tnabled to accommodate themselves to feet of diti'erent sizes, and to always allow the brushes to exert the proper degree of pressure ou the boot or shoe when cleaning and polishing the same. The rear ends ot' the two guideways ll are held down and also prevented from coming too close together by means ofa plate, l1, having a downward projection, h2, which rests ou the upper side ot' the arm or cross-piece b. (See Fig. 6.)

The guides fr are attached to the carriage G as follows: Each guide is provided with a stem, g", which passes through a sleeve or socket in the tlange f/ of the carriage, as shown in Fig. 12, so as to allow it to swivel in t'ollowing the curves of the guideways. The stem is slightly longer than the sleeve or socket, and

projects beyond the rear end of the same, which is screw-threaded, and is covered by a screw-cap, g, so that the screwing up of the cap has a tendency to press the guide g2 against the edge of the guideway H. By this means the carriage may be properly adjusted on the guideway, and when the guide g2 becomes worn it may be tightened by screwing up the cap l 2.

The brush f is attached to the carriage G by means of bolts or screws passed through the back of the brush and through the angle-plate (l2, and secured by nuts on the outside of said angleplate. The brushes have flexible and elastic backs, provided with springs f for pressing them upon and enabling them to follow closely the general form of the foot.

The carriage (l is attached to the band E by passing said band through a swivel-pin or stud, g5, on the lower side etsaid carriage, and securing it therein by a setfsclemg, as shown in Figs. 7 and 12, by which means the carriage may bc properly adjusted on the band.

The brushes, attached and operated as above described, serve to clean the boot or shoe, to distribute the blackingthereon, and to polish the same after the blacking has been distributed. The dirt is tirst cleaned from the boot or shoe. The blacking is then applied thereto, and tbepolisbingprocess is accomplished by the continuation of the motion of the brushes.

The blacking used in connection with this apparatus is in liquid form, and is carried in a reservoir arranged in a suitable position with relation to the other parts to enable it to be properly applied to the boot or shoe.

As shown herein, the blacking-reservoir I is located in the front part of the apparatus at a suitable point to enable the blacking to be deposited on the front of the boot or shoe, and then distributed to all other parts thereof.

The blacking-reservoir, as here represented, consists ot' a box, cup, or tank, I, (see Fig. 9,) provided with a neck for filling it, furnished with a screw cap, i, said neck and cap protruding slightly through the opening a3 in the top ot' the box or cover A2, so as to enable it to be tlled without removing said box or cover, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

1n order to keep the blaking stirred and prevent the accumulation of sediment; in the bottom ot' the reservoir, a stirring device is provided, consisting ofa wire, k, bent in such t'orm as to follow the general shape of the bottom and sides f the reservoir, and having its upper end attached to a lever, K, pivoted on or near the top of the reservoir I.

0n the upper side of thelever K is a pin or stud, k2, and to the under side of said lever is pivoted a pawl, L, provided with a spring, l, for retractin g it. (See Fig. 10.) The pawl L engages with a ratchet-wheel, M, which Works loosely on the drum-shaft d, and is prevented from receding by means of a dat spring-pawl, m, projecting from a portion of the front pedestal.

From the upper portion of the drum-shaft d ,j tube I2.

extends an arm, N, which, at every backward motion of the shaft d, strikes the pin or stud k2 and oscillates the stirrer 7c, so as to stir the blacking in the reservoir, and at the same time it causes the pawl L to move the ratchetwheel M the distance of one tooth. When the shaft d moves forward again, the stirrer is retraoted by means of the spring l, which also retracts the lever K, and causes the pawl L to engage with another tooth of the ratchet M, so as to be ready for another movement of said ratchet.

The blacking is applied to the boot or shoe in the following manner: In the bottom of the reservoir I is a tube or cylinder, I2, which may be cast in one piece with said reservoir or formed in any suitable manner. One end of this tube or cylinder is provided with either perforations or a narrow slot or slit, as may be preferred, so that the liquid issuing therefrom `may be in either the form of spray or of a sheet or thin broad stream.. This end of the tube l2 may extend beyond the side ot' the reservoir for a distance depending on the desired quantity of blacking to be received and discharged. Inside the reservoir is an opening, i2, through which the liquid may pass to the A piston or plunger, P, works in the tube or cylinder I after the manner of a syringe, and carries ou its front end a series of spurs or points, p, corresponding with the perforations or slot in the front end of the tube or cylinder I2, the object of said spurs being to keep said openings clear and prevent them from becoming clogged by the drying or caking of the blacking. The rear end of the piston or plunger is connected by a link, p2, with a lever, P2, (see Fig. 13,) having its fulcrum at a suitable point on or connected with the front pedestal.

On the under side of the ratchet-wheel M is a stud, m2, andas said ratchet-wheel is rotated, as before described, said stud m2 bears against said lever P2 during a portion of said rotation, so as to cause said lever to draw the piston or plunger P back a certain distance. Said stud m2 then slips beyond the end of the lever, and allowsit to escape,whereupon the piston or plunger is driven suddenly forward by a spring, p4. While the plunger is being drawn back the liquid blacking passes through the opening t2 into the tube I2, and forms a charge ready to be applied to the boot or shoe. When the plunger is released by the stud m2, it is driven forward by the spring p4 and forces the charge of blacking upon the boot or shoe in a spray, jet, or stream.

0n the upper side of the ratchet-wheel M is a stud, m4. Above this wheel is a bell, It,

which at certa-in intervals is struck by a hammer, S. The hammer-tail s is made of elastic Wire, bent in the shape shown in Fig. 15, so as to form at once a hammer-tail and a spring. As the ratchet M is rotated the stud m4 engageswith the hammer-tail s, so as to move it backward, and after said stud has traveled a certaindistance during Vthe rotation of the ratchet the hammer-tail .slips off and causes the hammer to strike the bell.

The operation of the parts above described is as follows: When motion is first applied to the drum-shaft a certain number of strokes of the brushes accomplish the work of removing the dirt from the boot or shoe, during which time the action of the arm N on the lever K and pawl L rotates the ratchet and draws back the plunger P, so as to allow a charge of blackin g to enter the tube or cylinder I2. The parts are so arranged with relation to each other that as soon as the cleaning is accoinplished the blacking is discharged upon the shoe. As the motion of the brushes continues the blacking is distributed over the entire surface, and the shoe is then polished by the action ot' the brushes. When the operation is completed the stud m4 releases the hammer- \tail and allows the hammer to strike the bell as a signal to remove the foot.

There may be any suitable number of teeth on the ratchet-wheel, and also. any suitable number of the studs m2 m4. As shown herein, y the wheel has thirty teeth, and there are two of each of the studs m2 m4. By this arrangement one complete revolution of the ratchetwheelis sufticient to produce two complete operations of' the cleaning and polishing devices.

Thefoot is supported during the cleaning and polishing operation by the devices shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 8, in which V represents a plate or block corresponding with the general outline of the sole of the foot. It is provided with a downwardly-eXtending stem, o, having on one side a key, rib, or stud, c?, for engagement with a groove, t, in a vertical socket, T, in a pedestal, W, resting on the base-board A. Surrounding the pedestal W is a spring, Y, the lower end of which rests upon the board A, and the upper end supports the plate or block V.

When not in use the spring Y holds the plate V at a suitable height to spread the brushes apart and enable the foot to be easily placed in proper position thereon. When the foot is pressed down the plate V descends to the proper level to insure the engagement ot' the brushes with all parts of the surface ot' the boot or shoe. When the foot is withdrawn the plate resumes its former position.

Having thus described my invention, wh at I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the foot-supporting devices, of the traveling brushes, the automatic blacking-discharging device, and mechanism connecting said brushes and blackingdischarging devices together and to a conimon prime motor, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for cleaning and polishing boots and shoes, the combination of the tlexible elasticback brushes, the spring-compressed guides, the devices for connecting said brushes t0 said guides, and lneehanisin t'or imparting,r reciprocating motion to said brushes, substantiall)` as described.

3. In a machine l'or cleaning and polishin,f r boots and shoes, a guideway eorrespondine; with the general t'orni ot' theibot,and adapted, by mechanism substantially as described, to accommodate itselt to t'eet ot' diti'erent sizes, for guiding: the brushes during' the eleanitngr and polishing' operation, substantially as dcscribed.

4. In a machine for cleaning and polishing,r boots and shoes, the combination, with a blaelt'4 ing-reservoir, ot' a st irl-ing' device for the blacking,suhstantinl|`v as and t'or the purpose herein described.

5. in a machine for cleaning and polishing boots and shoes, the combination, with the blacking'stirring;- device, ot" a reeiproeating.ll rotating shalt provided with an arnl for operatilngr said stirring' device, suhstantialliv as herein described.

6. In a lnaehine for cleaning: and polishing` boots and shoes, the combination, with the tube or c vlinder and the piston or plunger of the blaeking-reservoir,ot' the cleaning devices p,substantiall v as and i'ot' the purpose herein described.

7. In a machine i'or cleaning' and polishing boots and shoes, a reciprocating' rotating shaft, d, oscillating arm N, pivoted lever K. pawl L, slning,r I. 1ntchetwheel M, stud mf, lever P2, and spring;r p4, in continuation with the piston or plunger l,t'or operating.;1 said piston or plunger' to receive and discharge the blacking, substantially as herein described.

8. The carriage (i and angle'plate (it, in combination with the brush f, attached and arranged as herein shown and described.

9. The combination, with the guidi-wa)v ll,

of the carriage (l, pulleys g3 g3, and grooved guide gf, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

10. The swivel grooved guide g2, provided with the stein or shank 9*, in combination with the carriage G, provided with the ange 1; and socket, the cap g"2,and a suitable brush and ways, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

1l. The combination of the swivel-pin or stud y, setscrew (16, and carriage G, fitted upon a suitable way or guide, and adapted to be operated by a driving-band, substantially as described.

12. The foot-rest consisting of the plate V and its stein r and the pedestal W, provided with the grooved socket: T, substantially as herein shown and described.

13. The combination ofthe pedestal W,the footplatc V and its stem e, and the spring Y, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.

14. The combination, with the cleaning and polishing devices ot a boot'l and shoe cleaning and polishing,y machine.. of a covering and in closing shield or dust-arrester having an opening: therein for the insertion of a boot or shoe, substantially as described.

15. 1n a machine for cleaning and polishing boots and shoes, a brush having.,r its back tiexihle both longitudinally and transversely, in combination with springs pressing upon the sides and ends ot' said brushes, and devices for imparting reciprocating motion to said brushes.

PAUL HILLE.

\\'itnesses:

E. 1t. BuowN, A. l. WILLIAMS. 

